RE2020: The 5 regulatory points to remember for your VMC installation in new buildings

Has your home recently obtained its building permit? Then you are concerned by the new environmental regulations supplanting the RT2012 since January 1, 2022.

Want to know what this verification is and why is it so important? Here, we explain everything there is to know and more!

The verification of your VMC by a professional becomes mandatory

From now on, the technical verification of mechanical ventilation systems becomes mandatory to certify the conformity of its installation and equipment.

It applies upon delivery of your property.

Who to contact to carry out this verification

Only an authorized operator can carry out this verification (it is still a bit early to define the exhaustive list of future authorized operators).

The diagnostic process happens in 4 phases

First, we define the checks and measurements to be carried out. Depending on the type of VMC chosen (single flow, double-flow , hygro-variable, etc.). See paragraph “general content of the intervention” below.

A documentary pre-inspection will be carried out.

Here, we come to check the installation documents and the consistency of the systems with the references of the energy and environment study of the RE2020.

Then a site visit is organised.

This involves collecting any missing information, and carrying out verification and functional measurements. This visit is marked by a visual inspection of the installation on site, in order to verify that it has been carried out in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Finally, a report is written to obtain proof of compliance

This will join the declaration attesting to the completion and conformity of the work on your property.

The general content of the intervention during the visit

The requirements relating to the checks and measurements requested will relate in particular to the networks, the extraction and supply vents, and the air inlet module.

1. Verifications carried out

Ventilation box / air exhaust and air intake

This is to observe the alarms, security, accessibility, acoustics, its independence from other electrical networks, and what concerns the belt.

Aeraulic networks

Emphasis will be placed on duct insulation, flexibility, support and junctions.

Transit passage and motorized equipment

Air sweeping will be checked, as well as the independence of the ventilation system.

Exhaust vents

Here the emphasis will be placed on the presence of valves in wet rooms, their operating ranges, pressure and flow rates, the regulatory compliance of the products, their regulatory positioning in the room, their ease of maintenance and their accessibility. We will also come to assess the connection and whether the flow control is easily accessible and functional.

Air vents for double-flow CMVs

As for the air outlets, the interest will be focused on their absence in damp rooms. We will also check their presence in the living rooms, their operating ranges, pressure and flow rates, the regulatory compliance of the products, if their positioning in the rooms complies with the regulations. And, finally, we will come to make sure of the ease of maintenance and accessibility, as well as the good condition of the mouth, that they are functional, and properly connected.

Air inlet module for single-flow CMVs

Inend, the conformity of the air inlet modules in the main rooms will also be an important point, as well as the conformity of their design.

2. Expected measures

Here and with the help of specific tools (anemometer, flow meter, manometer), the focus will be on the flow measurements of the supply and extraction vents, as well as on the pressure of the last type of vent mentioned.

What to remember from this new regulation

When you have your installation done, you must therefore be particularly vigilant that:

• Your installation can allow accessibility , verification, maintenance and essential cleaning of your VMC system (in particular the box and the vents).
• Any degradation , fouling and blockage of the equipment is easily detectable in order to allow a good and fast restoration.
• The air inlets can provide the necessary flow rates to prevent discomfort and other inconveniences.

In order to guarantee good results, we would strongly advise you to

• Carry out a professional dimensioning of your installation.
• Good sizing will allow the correct installation, with the details of your installation.
• Choose quality components, especially the entire network part which will be difficult to replace in the event of non-compliance.
• An installation is expensive and repairs due to a cut in the budget in this area, may be felt during the mandatory restoration of it. If you invest right away in good equipment, of course, it may sting a little at the time, but you will be guaranteed not to regret it.
• Install the system according to regulatory checkpoints. You can call on a specialized craftsman or refer to the RE2020 Ventilation Protocol .
• Regularly maintain your CMV system. You can check that everything is fine once or twice a year. This reflex is particularly useful for extending the life of your system.